In administering a calcium channel blocker to a patient diagnosed with primary hypertension, the nurse understands this is due to which mechanism of action of this medication?

A. Mouth breathing is common after a tonsillectomy due to postoperative swelling and discomfort. It is not specifically a sign of hemorrhage. Instead, it is a typical adjustment as the child copes with throat pain and may find it easier to breathe through the mouth.
B. While reports of pain are expected after a tonsillectomy due to the nature of the surgery, they are not indicative of hemorrhage. Pain management is an important part of postoperative care, but increased pain alone does not signal bleeding.
C. Frequent swallowing can be a significant manifestation of hemorrhage following a tonsillectomy. This behavior may indicate that the child is trying to clear blood or secretions from the throat, or it may suggest that the child is swallowing blood that is pooling in the throat. It is an important sign for the nurse to monitor, as it can indicate active bleeding.
D. Reports of thirst are common after surgery due to fasting before the procedure and the dry mouth that can result from mouth breathing or the surgical site itself. While excessive thirst should be addressed, it is not a direct indicator of hemorrhage.

A. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in older adults but is not a specific indicator of pneumonia. While blood pressure can fluctuate with illness, it does not directly relate to the diagnosis of pneumonia.
B. Acute confusion is a critical and relevant sign in older adults with pneumonia. This demographic may experience altered mental status due to factors like hypoxia (low oxygen levels), fever, or dehydration. Confusion is often one of the first signs of infection in older patients, making it a significant assessment finding.
C. Hematemesis, which is the vomiting of blood, is not associated with pneumonia. It typically indicates a gastrointestinal issue, such as bleeding from ulcers or varices, rather than respiratory problems. Therefore, this finding would not be relevant to a pneumonia diagnosis.
D. While a cough is indeed a symptom of pneumonia, a dry hacking cough is less typical. Pneumonia generally presents with a productive cough (producing sputum) rather than a dry cough. A dry cough might suggest conditions like bronchitis or asthma.